Plane diverted as woman gives birth

A British Airways plane has had to make an emergency landing after a passenger went into premature labour and gave birth on board as the aircraft touched down.

The 30-year-old woman, who was 26 weeks into her pregnancy, was one of 296 passengers aboard the Boeing 777 which was flying from Nigeria to London.

The crew diverted to Palma in Majorca when the woman went into labour. BA crew helped medical staff based at the airport with the birth.

The woman and her baby were taken to hospital, where they were said to be in a stable condition.

The plane carried on to London after yesterday’s incident.

A BA spokeswoman said: “Our cabin crew, who are trained in birthing procedures, assisted with the delivery of a baby on board our flight from Abuja.

“The captain diverted the aircraft to Palma so that mum and baby could be taken to hospital. We wish the mother and her little one all the very best.”